The Fleur de Lis Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race contested on dirt in the United States. It is held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, typically in early June as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival meeting. The race is open to three‑year‑old fillies and is run over a distance of 1 ¹⁄₁₆ miles (8½ furlongs).
Classification and Purse
The event is classified as a Grade III stakes race. As of the most recent running, the purse was $150,000, though purse amounts may vary from year to year.
History
The Fleur de Lis Stakes was inaugurated in 1975. It was named after the fleur‑de‑lis, a stylized lily that is a historic emblem of the state of Louisiana and has been used as a decorative motif in various cultural contexts. Over the decades the race has served as a preparatory contest for three‑year‑old fillies targeting the Kentucky Oaks and other major spring‑summer stakes races for fillies.
Race Conditions
- Surface: Dirt
- Track configuration: Left‑handed (standard oval)
- Qualification: Fillies, three years old
- Weight: Assigned weights according to the conditions of the race (typically 122 lb with allowances)
Notable Winners
Several winners of the Fleur de Lis Stakes have gone on to achieve success in higher‑profile races. Notable champions include:
- Lady’s Secret (1985), who later earned induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
- Misty River (1998), who subsequently placed in the Kentucky Oaks.
- Sisters of Providence (2021), who captured the race in record time for the current distance.
Significance
The Fleur de Lis Stakes is regarded as an important early‑summer test for emerging three‑year‑old fillies, offering graded stakes earnings and a platform to demonstrate form ahead of the Kentucky Oaks and other Grade I events.
Recent Editions
The most recent edition (2024) was won by [Winner’s Name], trained by [Trainer’s Name], completing the race in [time]. (Specific details for the latest running should be confirmed from the official Churchill Downs racing archives.)
References
Information about the Fleur de Lis Stakes can be found in the official Churchill Downs media guide, the Daily Racing Form archives, and the Equibase database, which maintain historical race charts and statistics for graded stakes races in the United States.
